Drivers must know what to do should they ever find themselves in trouble on the road
While always hoping for safe travels on the road, being prepared for the unexpected can make stressful situations more manageable.
The first step starts before departure. Check your insurance documentation to discover potential gaps in your coverage well before a crisis occurs. This includes fully understanding what your inclusions and exclusions are. Consider anything that could affect coverage, such as cross-border travel and additional drivers. Ultimately, take some time to prepare for the worst: save essential numbers and information and update your information and licences if due.
If you are involved in a collision, there are a number of steps to follow.
Stop immediately. Switch your hazard lights on to warn approaching traffic. If it is safe, move to the roadside and put out an emergency triangle. If there are injuries, never leave the scene without police permission. If there are no injuries, you can leave the scene and report it later.
Check for injuries. Assess yourself, passengers and others involved. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance immediately. Only move injured people if they are in immediate danger, as doing so can potentially worsen their injuries.
Begin processing
Contact the police. Report accidents involving injury or death within 24 hours. For minor accidents without injuries, you have until the next working day. Record the officer’s name and accident report reference number.
Document everything. Photograph the scene from multiple angles, capturing vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, skid marks and any relevant road signs or landmarks. This is invaluable for insurance claims. Take videos if possible, showing the scene’s broader context.
Exchange information. Collect full names, ID numbers, phone numbers, insurance details and licence information from other drivers. If a company vehicle is involved, get the employer’s details too. Record the make, model and colour of all vehicles.
Record witness details. Write down the names and contact numbers of anyone who saw the accident occur. Witness statements can be important in insurance claims. In the moment, some volunteer information, but later either forget or choose not to be involved. Record their statement immediately, along with details such as name and contact number.
Make a sketch and write a statement. Draw a simple diagram showing vehicle positions, road layout, traffic direction and any fixed landmarks. Write your account of how the accident happened while the details are fresh. This will help you remember specifics later.
Preparation is your best protection. A few minutes spent reviewing insurance and understanding procedures before a trip can save hours of stress and potentially thousands of rands if an accident occurs.
Text | Eugene Herbert
Photography | F01 PHOTO
Eugene Herbert is CEO of MasterDrive.
For more information, go to masterdrive.co.za.
